The Amalgamated Meat Cutters and Butcher Workmen of North America (AMC
& BW of NA), a labor union representing retail butchers and packinghouse
workers, was chartered by the American Federation of Labor (AFL) in 1897,
consolidating seven local unions in Chicago. The AMC & BW of NA was
committed to craft unionism, with 56 departments representing various workers
in the meat industry. Workers in each craft within a city had their own
council, executive board, business agent and contract. In early 1900, nine
Seattle butchers formed the Protective Union of Butchers, Local 81. This local
was the first butcher trade union in Washington State, and would officially be
chartered Local 81 of the Amalgamated Meat Cutters and Butcher Workmen of North
America on April 2, 1900.

In the early days of the local, fines assessed to the union consumer
for purchasing non-union goods and union seals worn by members were major
organizing tools. The local’s first offices were housed at the Old Seattle
Labor Temple on 6th and University. Early union meetings were a weekly social
affair consisting of initiations, music, wine, cigars, speeches, and boxing
matches between slaughterhouse and retail shop workers. By 1909, a fine was
placed on members if they did not attend at least one meeting per month.

In 1902, Local 81 held its first strike in solidarity with non-union
Frye-Bruhn Packinghouse workers. Although failing to organize the packinghouse,
this strike set the stage for Local 81’s deep historical relationship with
Packinghouse Union Local 186 (which would be formed three decades later). Local
81 and the packinghouse workers would strike again in 1917, winning some gains
but again failing to organize the packinghouse. In 1904, Local 81 introduced
one of its first benefits, the Amalgamated Sick and Death Benefit, which would
last another 60 years. In 1906, the Amalgamated began printing celluloid Market
Cards for proud display in union butcher shops.

During the 1920s, employers nationwide sought to undermine the power
of organized labor by imposing the open shop under the auspices of the
“American Plan”. Advocates of the plan promoted an anti-radical, anti-labor,
pro-business agenda, justifying union busting and equating patriotism with
unbridled capitalism. The Program’s genesis was the social context of the
post-World War I United States. Many citizens felt an increased sense of
nationalism in the wake of the war, and power of growing radicalism and labor
strength embodied by the Russian Revolution of 1917 and the Seattle General
Strike of 1919 inspired a conservative backlash during the First Red Scare
(1919-1921). In the context of this rightward shift, advocates of the Plan
branded organized labor “un-American” and “Bolshevik”. Under this cloud, Local
81 expanded into Olympia and Bremerton and was a politically active part of the
Seattle Labor Council throughout this turbulent decade. The union was strong
enough to force employers to use union labor for building maintenance and
repair, and to boycott goods on the Labor Council’s “unfair” list. Political
tensions arose in the mid-1920s between the Washington State Federation of
Labor (WSFL) and the Seattle Central Labor Council (SCLC). One of the forces
impelling reconciliation between these two groups of unions was the meat
cutters’ politically self-motivated re-affiliation with the WSFL. According to
Dembo (1983),

Similarly, Meat Cutters Union Local No. 81 re-affiliated with the
WSFL. The Meat Cutters had successfully convinced the Seattle City Council to
pass a health ordinance for butcher shops and were looking for support in the
expected court battles. The Meat Cutters were trying to use the ordinance to
restrict Japanese meat markets whose late hours ‘gives them a chance to smuggle
in bad beef,’ and had sued one of the Japanese markets for violating the
ordinance, vowing to carry the case to the highest courts if necessary. This
was just one of the forces impelling reconciliation between the SCLC and WSFL
unions. (pp. 416-417)

After its organizing campaign and growth of over 18% in 1926 and 1927,
membership in the WSFL declined in 1928. Heading into 1929, a large issue
confronting the SCLC was a wave of Filipino immigration.

Throughout the 1920s, immigration from the Philippine Islands
increased. While Filipino immigration was relatively small compared with past
influxes of newcomers from China, Japan, Mexico, and Eastern Europe in decades
past, the labor community reacted harshly. Soon, the Federal Walsh bill (SB
13900) was proposed, with the goal of repealing legislation permitting
Filipinos who had served in the United States military from becoming
naturalized citizens. Both the SCLC and WSFL supported this anti-immigration
legislation. The Seaman’s Union immediately demanded restrictions on Filipino
employment from the WSFL. Conflict surrounding Filipino immigration came to a
head during the Great Depression.

While many locals participated in scapegoating Filipino workers for
the economic downturn, Local 81 showed its solidarity with all workers, and
refused to join other unions in their anti-Filipino crusade. When reports came
in that Filipino workers at Frye, a notoriously anti-union meat packing plant
with a long battle history with Local 81, had participated in a strike with
other workers against intolerable working conditions, Local 81 thanked these
workers, acknowledging their contribution to the labor movement in Washington
State. This more progressive mentality with regard to immigration put Local 81
at odds with the general labor movement in Washington State during the 1920s
and 1930s, and pushed for more enlightened policies for the future. Dembo
(1983)

In 1929, Local 81 helped to establish the Washington State Council of
Butchers.

Despite the rise of grocery chains and the formation of the Food
Dealers Association, the union managed to gain important ground during the
Great Depression. While union membership shielded workers from the worst
conditions associated with the Depression somewhat, membership in
SCLC-affiliated unions declined by 35.47% from 1930 to 1934 and unemployment
rose by 230%. Local 81 assessed members to provide unemployment benefits to
out-of-work members to ease the effects of growing unemployment during the
Depression. The union also continued to organize despite an unfavorable
economic climate. In a display of militancy lacking in the labor movement for a
number of years, Local 81 won an important four-year struggle with the Frye
Meat Packing Company, longtime-open shop packinghouse employers, successfully
forming Packinghouse Union Local 186 in the mid-1930s. Local 81’s long, bitter
strike to organize packinghouse workers at Frye in the midst of the Depression
and in light of their previous failed organizing attempts is indicative of the
militant spirit of “The Fighting 81st” during the era. Local 81 was also
successful in establishing a meat inspection program, ensuring that only
licensed meat cutters could work in city markets. The program eventually spread
to the rest of King County and served as a tool for controlling working
conditions.

While Local 81 was on strike at Frye, the United Garment Workers Local
17 (which would merge with Local 81 in 1994) fought lockouts by A.V. Love Dry
Goods Company. The company’s new owners, refusing to meet union demands, chose
to lock out all union employees. When Franklin D. Roosevelt was elected, the
National Recovery Administration demanded wage and hour standards in the retail
grocery industry, opening the door for Local 81 to temporarily establish an
8-hour workday.

Soon, other industries in the Puget Sound organized, representing dock
workers packinghouse workers, transport workers, steel mill workers, and
aircraft workers. This widespread organizing in the Puget Sound area shifted
economic and political power in favor of trade unions like Local 81. World War
II’s labor shortages brought female meat cutters and sausage workers into Local
81; the first female meat cutter was Francis Kennedy. Other results of the
economic power shift resulting from war labor shortages included the
introduction of time and a half overtime compensation and a manager’s premium.

The 1940s saw further Local 81 successes. In 1946, Local 81 became the
first union local in Washington State to strike for a five-day, forty-hour
workweek. After striking for just a week, they won both a five-day, forty-hour
workweek and a second week of paid vacation annually. During the same year,
Local 81 moved its offices into the new Labor Temple at 2800 1st Avenue.
Meetings held in this space included weekly executive board meetings and
bi-weekly union membership meetings. Members living within the city limits were
required to attend at least one meeting per month, while those living outside
Seattle were required to attend meetings at least once per quarter. Fines for
missing meetings could be substituted for contributions to the Local’s blood
bank. In September 1947, meat cutter Art Astmus guided the local into forming
the Edison School, a union-sponsored apprenticeship school which would help the
Local to define its jurisdiction and set apprenticeship and food safety
standards. Later in the 1940s, Local 81 first defined its jurisdiction in its
contract language as “the cutting and handling of all meat, fish, poultry, and
rabbit products” to protect their bargaining unit work from being given to
clerks. Female deli workers were unionized in 1950, ending Local 81 members’
prohibition from cutting and wrapping meat for self-service cases. The first
female meat wrapper, Vivian Keeler, was paid on a lower scale than her male
counterparts for working the same job at the same rank, a tradition that would
last even after 1967’s non-discrimination contract clause. In 1955, under a
newly elected slate of officers including Business Agent Freddie Frey,
Assistant Business Agent Ed White and Recording Secretary Charlie Sandvidge,
Local 81 established a Health & Welfare Trust and Plan with the Retail
Dealers. They also joined with the national labor movement to defeat two
right-to-work initiatives aimed at destroying the closed shop and undermining
union power. In 1955, the Amalgamated merged with the International Fur and
Leather Workers Union. The Fish Workers’ Union joined Local 81 in the 1950s, at
the height of post-WWII power for the local. They were up two thousand members
and won significant improvement in working conditions going into the 1960s.

Contract negotiations in fall 1959 were strong for Local 81, but they
felt pressure from the weaker agreements the Retail Clerks Union was signing
and increases in chain dominance and meat production technology. In 1960, the
Amalgamated merged with the National Agriculture Workers Union. The 1960s saw
internal tension within Local 81. Political tensions were evident in the 1962
election of Mel Roundhill to replace Ed White as Recording Secretary of the
Local. Following the 1964 strike, a hotly contested election for chief
executive officer resulted in a narrow victory for Conrad “Connie” Johnson over
the incumbent Freddie Frey. Conrad Johnson had run many unsuccessful campaigns
for office in Local 81 and was a fierce supporter of the apprenticeship
program. In spite of the rise of Allied Employers, Inc. and the dominance of
grocery chains during this time period, Local 81 defended and strengthened its
contract. After a strike in 1964, Local 81 strengthened its contract by
including company-wide seniority language and protections for the 40-hour
workweek. In the same situation in 1967, Local 81 added journeyman-on-duty
language to further protect its members from deteriorating working conditions
under Allied Employers and grocery chains. Critical arbitrations also occurred
in the late 1960s and early 1970s, namely the Peck (1966) and Gillingham (1970)
arbitrations which strengthened the 40 hour guaranteed workweek and foundations
for seniority language, respectively. In 1968, the Amalgamated merged with the
United Packinghouse Workers of America, with whom they had been participating
in coordinated bargaining against national meat packing companies since 1953.

In addition to problems caused by Allied Employers and grocery chain
dominance, this period presented special challenges stemming from the rising
power of the Retail Clerks Union. Because of their weaker contracts, Local 81
experienced pressures to adjust work agreements to their more liberal
practices, especially regarding working hours and part-time vs. full-time
employment. In addition to permitting part-time employment more readily in
their contract language, the Retail Clerks required store-wide rather than
company-wide seniority policies. These pressures, in addition to the
devastating inflation of the 1970s and movement of packinghouse work to
right-to-work states, were not enough to stop Local 81 from maintaining strong
contracts.

The late 1970s were burdened with inflation, employers moving labor to
right-to-work states, a conservative backlash against organized labor, and hard
struggle with Allied Employers consisting of a series of short, successful
strikes. Under these conditions, the Amalgamated Meat Cutters and Butcher
Workmen of North America and the Retail Clerks International Union merged to
become the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union, the largest
union affiliated with the AFL-CIO. Significantly, Local 81 was the only
Amalgamated local to vote against this merger. With the Retail Clerks’
contracts effectively working against the progress of Local 81 over the past
decade, it is no surprise that Local 81 members were hesitant to join their
ranks. The President of the new UFCW International Union was William H. Wynn,
President of the Retail Clerks Union and one of the designers of the
merger.

Ronald Reagan’s election in 1980 signified the dawn of an even more
conservative and anti-labor era. Local 81 suffered losses of over three hundred
members in jobbing house de-certifications. Taking advantage of palpable
tensions between the meat cutters and retail clerks, employers settled
negotiations with the clerks and attacked Local 81’s meat cutter contract. The
resultant 1983 strike at Lucky Stores resulted in widespread lockouts at other
Allied Employers companies and 71 bitter days on the picket line for Local 81
members. Lucky members were forced to return to work under threats of permanent
replacement. The local came away from this strike demoralized, having lost
their cost-of-living escalation clause, reductions in Sunday and holiday
premiums and a smaller pension contribution rate than the retail clerks
received. Beneficial meat production restrictions were lifted, and the meat
cutters’ health plan was merged with the weaker retail clerks’ plan. Strike
expenses nearly depleted Local 81’s assets.

In contrast, the UFCW International grew aggressively during the
1980s. They merged with the Barbers, Beauticians and Allied Industries
International Association in 1980, the United Retail Workers Union in 1981, the
Insurance Workers International Union in 1983, organized 136,000 workers
between 1984 and 1985, the Canadian Brewery Workers Union in 1986, organized
another 81,000 workers in 1986, almost 100,000 in 1987, and over 100,000 in
1988.

The grocery strike of 1989 yielded much better results for Local 81
than the strike at Lucky six years earlier; they altered their strategy to
coordinate bargaining with other Puget Sound locals, teaming up against
employers. In May, a strike at Food Giant resulted in lockouts in other King
County Allied stores. Local 81 held their ground, and the strike lasted 81
days. In the end, Local 81 kept their Sunday wage increases, increased pension
contributions, increased wages, and improved health and welfare benefits. The
immense public support for Local 81’s picket lines sent a clear message to
employers and ushered in a time of relative peace for labor unions during the
1990s.

After the 1989 strike, Local 81 President Anthony Abeyta led the Local
to invest its hard-won surpluses successfully, allowing the local to purchase
its own office space in Auburn. In 1992, 1995, and 1998, early contract
settlements were reached by the Local with significant improvements to health
and welfare benefits. In 1998, an early retirement program was put in place
allowing members with 30 years of experience to retire with full benefits at
age 55. In 1998, under the new leadership of President Michael Williams, Local
81 merged with the packinghouse union representing workers in the Associated
Grocers centralized meat cutting plant in Tukwila, UFCW Local 554. Local 81
also took over contracts representing workers at the Safeway and Associated
Grocers warehouses, Draper Valley Poultry, Lennons Casing Plant, Turner &
Pease, and newly-merged garment factories Item House and C.C. Filson, Co. In
1999, a full-time organizer came on board to expand Local 81 in the discount
grocery, food processing, and textile industries. Threats from the discount
grocery industry and centralized meat cutting and prepackaging practices were
addressed, and continued to be an important issue after the year 2000.

In 2003, 80,000 UFCW members nationally went on strike to protect
their wages and benefits. In 2004, President Dority retired and the
International Executive Board appointed the third International President of
the UFCW, Joseph T. Hansen. In 2005, along with the Teamsters, SEIU,
UNITE-HERE, Laborers, and the United Farm Workers and Carpenters, the UFCW left
the AFL-CIO to form the Change to Win Federation. On August 8, 2013, the UFCW
International re-affiliated with the AFL-CIO in a statement from its President,
Joe Hansen.

The United Food and Commercial Workers Local 81 Records includes
records created and collected by the UFCW Local 81 (previously the Amalgamated
Meat Cutters and Butcher Workmen of North America, Local 81), as well as
records created and collected by organizations that have merged with this local
over the years. The collection is divided into 10 Record Groups based on the
creating or collecting organization, with a Temporary Record Group at the end
for previously restricted-access files only.

Record Group 1 contains records created and collected by the United
Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 81 (previously the Amalgamated Meat
Cutters and Butcher Workmen of North America, Local 81). The Record Group is
divided into Record Subgroups based on general organizational activity. The
scope of Record Subgroup A is claims, arbitrations, and grievances. This
subgroup is broken down into Parts based on specific record types, which are
arranged alphabetically as follows: Arbitration, Equal Employment Opportunity
Commission Complaints, Grievances (which did not lead to arbitrations), Human
Rights Commission Complaints, Labor and Industries Claims, Legal Documents, and
National Labor Relations Board Charges. These Parts are further subdivided into
Series determined by the creating or collecting officer or committee. Series
are organized hierarchically by rank, and then chronologically from most recent
to least recent. Each series is further subdivided into Subseries based on
Employer. Subseries are arranged alphabetically. Files within subseries are
arranged chronologically from earliest to most recent. The scope of Record
Subgroup B is financial records, divided into Parts based on specific record
types, which are arranged alphabetically as follows: Employer Audit, Member
Dues, Financial (general records, ledgers, statements, administration records
for financial operations, and budgets), Store Closures, Store Sales, and Union
Mergers. These Parts are Subdivided into Series, Subseries, and files arranged
in the same way as Record Subgroup A. The scope of Record Subgroup C is
contract administration, divided into Parts based on specific record types,
arranged alphabetically as follows: Apprenticeship, Collective Bargaining
Agreements, Contract Negotiations, Field Notes (including union staff route
sheets, reports, notes on personnel issues, contract enforcement, and personal
records of other elements of their work), Insurance, Job Injury, Policy
(employer work policies), Seniority, Steward, Strike, Union Policy, and Work
Issues (which were not brought to the grievance level). These Parts are
Subdivided into Series, Subseries, and files arranged in the same way as Record
Subgroups A and B. The scope of Record Subgroup D is interpersonal activities
and public engagement, divided into Parts based on specific record types,
arranged alphabetically as follows: Conferences and Conventions,
Correspondence, Elections (union elections), Minutes, Organizing, Political,
Press, Publication, Union Social Events, and Training. These Parts are
subdivided into Series, Subseries, and files arranged in the same way as Record
Subgroups A-C. The scope of Record Subgroup E is union office administrative
files, divided into Parts based on specific record type arranged alphabetically
as follows: Personal Papers, Reference Files, and Union Personnel. These Parts
are subdivided, as applicable, into Series, Subseries, and files arranged in
the same way as Record Subgroups A-D. The scope of Record Subgroup F is
physical Artifacts, which are divided into Parts based on the creating or
collecting officer. Files within these parts are arranged chronologically if
items are dated. Undated items are arranged at the end in original order.

Record Group 2 contains records created and collected by Packinghouse
Local Union 186. This Record Group is divided into Record Subgroups based on
specific record type. The scope of Record Subgroup A is financial documents.
Files within this subgroup are arranged chronologically. The scope of Record
Subgroup B is minutes. This subgroup is further divided into Parts based on the
creating or collecting officer, arranged hierarchically by rank and then
chronologically from most to least recent. Within each part, files are arranged
chronologically from least to most recent. The scope of Record Subgroup C is
physical Artifacts. This Subgroup contains one item.

Record Group 3 contains records created and collected by Meat and
Provision Salesmens Union Local 228. This Record Group is divided into Record
Subgroups based on specific record type. The scope of Record Subgroup A is
minutes, which are arranged chronologically. The scope of Record Subgroup B is
financial documents, which are further divided into Parts based on creating or
collecting officer, organized hierarchically by rank and then chronologically
from most to least recent. Records within each Part are arranged
chronologically from least to most recent.

Record Group 4 contains records created and collected by United Food
and Commercial Workers Union Local 554. This Record Group is divided into
Record Subgroups based on specific record type or groups of record types. The
scope of Record Subgroup A is arbitration. This subgroup is further subdivided
into parts based on the creating or collecting officer, arranged hierarchically
by rank and then chronologically from most to least recent. These Parts are
further subdivided into Series based on employer. Series are arranged
alphabetically. Files within each series are arranged chronologically from
least to most recent. The scope of Record Subgroup B is grievances. This Record
Subgroup is further divided into Parts based on employer, which are arranged
alphabetically. Files within each Part are arranged chronologically from least
to most recent. The scope of Record Subgroup C is Legal Documents. Record
Subgroup C contains only one file. The scope of Record Subgroup D is Employer
Audit. This Record Subgroup also contains only one file. The scope of Record
Subgroup E is member dues. This subgroup is divided into Parts based on the
creating or collecting officer, arranged hierarchically by rank and then
chronologically from most to least recent. Files within these parts are
arranged chronologically from least to most recent. The scope of Record
Subgroup F is financial documents. This subgroup is divided into Parts based on
the creating or collecting officer, arranged hierarchically by rank and then
chronologically from most to least recent. Files within these parts are
arranged chronologically from least to most recent. The scope of Record
Subgroup G is union mergers. This subgroup contains only one item. The scope of
Record Subgroup H is contract administration. This Subgroup is divided into
parts based on specific record type arranged alphabetically as follows:
collective bargaining agreements, contract negotiations, job injuries, policy
(employer workplace policies), strike, and work issues (not taken to the
grievance level). As applicable, these parts are further divided into series
based on employer, which are arranged alphabetically. Files within each series
are arranged chronologically from least to most recent. The scope of Record
Subgroup I is interpersonal activities and public engagement. This subgroup is
divided into Parts based on specific record type, arranged alphabetically as
follows: correspondence, elections (union elections), and minutes. As
applicable, these parts are further divided into series based on employer,
which are arranged alphabetically. Files within each series are arranged
chronologically from least to most recent. The scope of Record Subgroup J is
union office administrative files. These are subdivided into Parts based on
specific record type, arranged alphabetically as follows: Personal Papers,
Reference Files. Files within these Parts are arranged chronologically from
least to most recent. The scope of Record Subgroup K is physical artifacts.
Items are arranged chronologically when dated, and left in their original order
if undated.

Record Group 5 contains records created and collected by United Food
and Commercial Workers Union Local 44. This Record Group is divided into Record
Subgroups based on specific record type, arranged alphabetically. The scope of
Record Subgroup A is arbitration. This Subgroup is divided into Parts based on
creating or collecting officer, arranged hierarchically and then
chronologically from most to least recent. These Parts are divided into Series
based on employer, which are arranged alphabetically. Files within each series
are arranged chronologically from least to most recent. The scope of Record
Subgroup B is grievances. This Record Subgroup contains only one file. The
scope of Record Subgroup C is work issues. This Record Subgroup contains only
one file.

Record Group 6 contains records created and collected by United Food
and Commercial Workers Union Local 1105. This Record Group is divided into
Record Subgroups based on specific record types. The scope of Record Subgroup A
is collective bargaining agreements. This subgroup is divided into Parts based
on the creating or collecting officer, arranged hierarchically and then
chronologically from most to least recent. Files within these Parts are
arranged chronologically from least to most recent. The scope of Record
Subgroup B is contract negotiations. This Record Subgroup contains only one
file.

Record Group 7 contains records created and collected by the United
Garment Workers. This Record Group is divided into Record Subgroups based on
specific record type. The scope of Record Subgroup A is financial documents.
This Record Subgroup contains only one file. The scope of Record Subgroup B is
collective bargaining agreements. This Record Subgroup contains only one file.
The scope of Record Subgroup C is organizing. Files within this Record Subgroup
are arranged chronologically from least to most recent. The scope of Record
Subgroup D is reference files. Files within this Record Subgroup are arranged
chronologically from least to most recent. The scope of Record Subgroup E is
physical artifacts. Because all files in this Record Subgroup are undated, they
have been left in their original order.

Record Group 8 contains records created and collected by the United
Garment Workers Local 17. This Record Group is divided into Record Subgroups
based on record type groups or specific record types. The scope of Record
Subgroup A is grievances. Files within this Subgroup are arranged
chronologically from least to most recent. The scope of Record Subgroup B is
financial documents. This Record Subgroup is further divided into parts. Part
1, containing Member Dues, contains only one file. Part 2, financial documents,
contains files arranged chronologically from least to most recent. The scope of
Record Subgroup C is contract administration. This Record Subgroup is divided
into Parts based on specific record type, and arranged alphabetically as
follows: Contract Negotiations, Insurance, and Work Issues. Files within these
parts are arranged chronologically from least to most recent. The scope of
Record Subgroup D is interpersonal activities and public engagement. This
Record Subgroup is divided into Parts arranged alphabetically as follows:
Correspondence and Minutes. These Parts are divided into Series based on
creating or collecting officer or committee, arranged hierarchically by rank
and then chronologically from most to least recent. Files within these series
are arranged chronologically from least to most recent. The scope of Record
Subgroup E is reference files. This Record Subgroup contains only one item. The
scope of Record Subgroup F is physical artifacts. Items are arranged
chronologically when dated, and left in their original order if undated.

Record Group 9 contains records created and collected by the United
Garment Workers Local 201. These records are divided into subgroups based on
specific record type. The scope of Record Subgroup A is member dues. Files
within this Record Subgroup are arranged chronologically from least to most
recent. The scope of Record Subgroup B is financial documents. This Record
Subgroup is divided into Parts based on creating or collecting officer or
committee, arranged hierarchically by rank and then chronologically from most
to least recent. Files within these series are arranged chronologically from
least to most recent. The scope of Record Subgroup C is minutes. creating or
collecting officer or committee, arranged hierarchically by rank and then
chronologically from most to least recent. Files within these series are
arranged chronologically from least to most recent. The scope of Record
Subgroup D is physical artifacts. Items are arranged chronologically when
dated, and left in their original order if undated.

Record Group 10 contains Temporarily Restricted Files which have been
removed from Record Groups 1-9 due to access restrictions. Files in boxes
91-112 have been kept in their original order, with box/folder numbers
corresponding to their places within boxes 1-90. These files will be
re-integrated into the collection in 2017 when the restriction on their access
is lifted.

Restrictions on Use

Arrangement

The collection is arranged into ten record groups. Record groups 1-9
are based on the creating or collecting organization. Record group 10 is a
temporary record group originally created for restricted files, which will be
merged back into the collection and are now unrestricted.

Record Group 1: United Food and Commercial Workers Local 81: Records
collected and published by United Food and Commercial Workers Local 81 between
1896 and 2012.

Record Group 2: Packinghouse Local 186: Records collected and
published by Packinghouse Local 186 between 1900 and 1984.

Record Group 3: Meat and Provision Salesmens Union Local 228: Records
collected and published by Meat and Provision Salesmens Union Local 228 between
1937 and 1949.

Record Group 4: United Food and Commercial Workers Local 554: Records
collected and published by United Food and Commercial Workers Local 554 between
1910 and 1999.

Record Group 5: United Food and Commercial Workers Local 44: Records
collected and published by United Food and Commercial Workers Local 44 between
1986 and 2001.

Record Group 6: United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1105: Records
collected and published by United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1105
between 1980 and 2001.

Record Group 7: United Garment Workers: Records collected and
published by United Garment Workers between 1936 and 1999.

Record Group 8: United Garment Workers Local 17: Records collected and
published by United Garment Workers Local 17 between 1903 and 1997.

Record Group 9: United Garment Workers Local 201: Records collected
and published by United Garment Workers Local 201 between 1911 and 1979.

Record Group 10: Temporarily Restricted Files. (Open to researchers
now)

Record groups 1-9 are divided into subgroups based on organizational
activity. Record subgroups are further divided, where applicable, into parts
based on specific record types, then creating officer or committee, followed by
employer groups, and finally, arranged chronologically within these. Files in
boxes 91-112 have been kept in their original order, with box/folder numbers
corresponding to their places within boxes 1-90. These files will be
re-integrated into the collection.

Record Group 1 contains records created and collected by the
United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 81 (previously the Amalgamated
Meat Cutters and Butcher Workmen of North America, Local 81).

The Record Group is divided into Record Subgroups based on general
organizational activity.

The scope of Record Subgroup A is claims, arbitrations, and
grievances. This subgroup is broken down into Parts based on specific record
types, which are arranged alphabetically as follows: Arbitration, Equal
Employment Opportunity Commission Complaints, Grievances (which did not lead to
arbitrations), Human Rights Commission Complaints, Labor and Industries Claims,
Legal Documents, and National Labor Relations Board Charges. These Parts are
further subdivided into Series determined by the creating or collecting officer
or committee. Series are organized hierarchically by rank, and then
chronologically from most recent to least recent. Each series is further
subdivided into Subseries based on Employer. Subseries are arranged
alphabetically. Files within subseries are arranged chronologically from
earliest to most recent.

The scope of Record Subgroup B is financial records, divided into
Parts based on specific record types, which are arranged alphabetically as
follows: Employer Audit, Member Dues, Financial (general records, ledgers,
statements, administration records for financial operations, and budgets),
Store Closures, Store Sales, and Union Mergers. These Parts are Subdivided into
Series, Subseries, and files arranged in the same way as Record Subgroup A.

The scope of Record Subgroup C is contract administration, divided
into Parts based on specific record types, arranged alphabetically as follows:
Apprenticeship, Collective Bargaining Agreements, Contract Negotiations, Field
Notes (including union staff route sheets, reports, notes on personnel issues,
contract enforcement, and personal records of other elements of their work),
Insurance, Job Injury, Policy (employer work policies), Seniority, Steward,
Strike, Union Policy, and Work Issues (which were not brought to the grievance
level). These Parts are Subdivided into Series, Subseries, and files arranged
in the same way as Record Subgroups A and B.

The scope of Record Subgroup D is interpersonal activities and
public engagement, divided into Parts based on specific record types, arranged
alphabetically as follows: Conferences and Conventions, Correspondence,
Elections (union elections), Minutes, Organizing, Political, Press,
Publication, Union Social Events, and Training. These Parts are subdivided into
Series, Subseries, and files arranged in the same way as Record Subgroups A-C.

The scope of Record Subgroup E is union office administrative
files, divided into Parts based on specific record type arranged alphabetically
as follows: Personal Papers, Reference Files, and Union Personnel. These Parts
are subdivided, as applicable, into Series, Subseries, and files arranged in
the same way as Record Subgroups A-D.

The scope of Record Subgroup F is physical Artifacts, which are
divided into Parts based on the creating or collecting officer. Files within
these parts are arranged chronologically if items are dated. Undated items are
arranged at the end in original order.

Record Group 2 contains records created and collected by
Packinghouse Local Union 186.

This Record Group is divided into Record Subgroups based on
specific record type.

The scope of Record Subgroup A is financial documents. Files
within this subgroup are arranged chronologically.

The scope of Record Subgroup B is minutes. This subgroup is
further divided into Parts based on the creating or collecting officer,
arranged hierarchically by rank and then chronologically from most to least
recent. Within each part, files are arranged chronologically from least to most
recent. The scope of Record Subgroup C is physical Artifacts. This Subgroup
contains one item.

Container(s)

Description

Dates

Box/Folder

77/1-77/2

Record Subgroup A: Financial

1900-1939

Box/Folder

77/1

Dues Book: Local
186

1900

77/2

Dues Book: Local
186

1939

77/3-77/6

Record Subgroup B: Minutes

1965-1984

Box/Folder

77/3-77/4

Part 1:
Local Presidents Anthony Abeyta and Michael Williams

1965-1975

Box/Folder

77/3

Packinghouse Union Local 186:
Minutes

1965-1972

77/4

Packinghouse Union Local 186:
Minutes

1972-1975

77/5

Part 2:
Local Presidents Sid Casey and Esther Baxter

1975-1979

Box/Folder

77/5

Minutes: Packinghouse Union
Local 186

1975-1979

77/6

Part 3:
Local Executive Board

1978-1984

Box/Folder

77/6

Packinghouse Union Local 186:
Executive Board Meeting Minutes

1978-1984

77/7

Record Subgroup C: Artifacts

1972

Box/Folder

77/7

Plaque: Convention Award: Civil
Rights Committee of the Amalgamated Meat Cutters and Butcher Workmen of North
America to Local Union No. 186

1972

Record
Group 3: Meat and Provision Salesmens Union Local 228, 1937-1949Return to Top

Container(s): Box-folder 77/8-77/14;
78/1

Record Group 3 contains records created and collected by Meat and
Provision Salesmens Union Local 228.

This Record Group is divided into Record Subgroups based on
specific record type.

The scope of Record Subgroup A is minutes, which are arranged
chronologically.

The scope of Record Subgroup B is financial documents, which are
further divided into Parts based on creating or collecting officer, organized
hierarchically by rank and then chronologically from most to least recent.
Records within each Part are arranged chronologically from least to most
recent.

Record Group 4 contains records created and collected by United
Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 554.

This Record Group is divided into Record Subgroups based on
specific record type or groups of record types.

The scope of Record Subgroup A is arbitration. This subgroup is
further subdivided into parts based on the creating or collecting officer,
arranged hierarchically by rank and then chronologically from most to least
recent. These Parts are further subdivided into Series based on employer.
Series are arranged alphabetically. Files within each series are arranged
chronologically from least to most recent.

The scope of Record Subgroup B is grievances. This Record Subgroup
is further divided into Parts based on employer, which are arranged
alphabetically. Files within each Part are arranged chronologically from least
to most recent.

The scope of Record Subgroup C is Legal Documents. Record Subgroup
C contains only one file.

The scope of Record Subgroup D is Employer Audit. This Record
Subgroup also contains only one file.

The scope of Record Subgroup E is member dues. This subgroup is
divided into Parts based on the creating or collecting officer, arranged
hierarchically by rank and then chronologically from most to least recent.
Files within these parts are arranged chronologically from least to most
recent.

The scope of Record Subgroup F is financial documents. This
subgroup is divided into Parts based on the creating or collecting officer,
arranged hierarchically by rank and then chronologically from most to least
recent. Files within these parts are arranged chronologically from least to
most recent.

The scope of Record Subgroup G is union mergers. This subgroup
contains only one item.

The scope of Record Subgroup H is contract administration. This
Subgroup is divided into parts based on specific record type arranged
alphabetically as follows: collective bargaining agreements, contract
negotiations, job injuries, policy (employer workplace policies), strike, and
work issues (not taken to the grievance level). As applicable, these parts are
further divided into series based on employer, which are arranged
alphabetically. Files within each series are arranged chronologically from
least to most recent.

The scope of Record Subgroup I is interpersonal activities and
public engagement. This subgroup is divided into Parts based on specific record
type, arranged alphabetically as follows: correspondence, elections (union
elections), and minutes. As applicable, these parts are further divided into
series based on employer, which are arranged alphabetically. Files within each
series are arranged chronologically from least to most recent.

The scope of Record Subgroup J is union office administrative
files. These are subdivided into Parts based on specific record type, arranged
alphabetically as follows: Personal Papers, Reference Files. Files within these
Parts are arranged chronologically from least to most recent.

The scope of Record Subgroup K is physical artifacts. Items are
arranged chronologically when dated, and left in their original order if
undated.

Record Group 5 contains records created and collected by United
Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 44.

This Record Group is divided into Record Subgroups based on
specific record type, arranged alphabetically.

The scope of Record Subgroup A is arbitration. This Subgroup is
divided into Parts based on creating or collecting officer, arranged
hierarchically and then chronologically from most to least recent. These Parts
are divided into Series based on employer, which are arranged alphabetically.
Files within each series are arranged chronologically from least to most
recent.

The scope of Record Subgroup B is grievances. This Record Subgroup
contains only one file.

The scope of Record Subgroup C is work issues. This Record
Subgroup contains only one file.

Record Group 6 contains records created and collected by United
Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 1105.

This Record Group is divided into Record Subgroups based on
specific record types.

The scope of Record Subgroup A is collective bargaining
agreements. This subgroup is divided into Parts based on the creating or
collecting officer, arranged hierarchically and then chronologically from most
to least recent. Files within these Parts are arranged chronologically from
least to most recent.

The scope of Record Subgroup B is contract negotiations. This
Record Subgroup contains only one file.

Record
Group 8: United Garment Workers Local 17, 1903-1997Return to Top

Record Group 8 contains records created and collected by the
United Garment Workers Local 17.

This Record Group is divided into Record Subgroups based on record
type groups or specific record types.

Record Subgroup A is comprised of grievances. Files within this
Subgroup are arranged chronologically from oldest to most recent.

Record Subgroup B is composed of financial documents and is
further divided into parts: Part 1, containing Member Dues, contains only one
file; Part 2: Financial Documents, contains files arranged chronologically from
least to most recent.